Livingston schools expand after increase in students

LIVINGSTON - Some students in Livingston Parish could come back to new classrooms after Thanksgiving break.

With the number of students growing in the parish, schools are looking to expand. After a rise in students, sixth graders at Doyle Elementary transferred to Doyle High School in the town of Livingston.

"It's changing tremendously. Specifically in Livingston, I can tell you on our campus we have over 700 students, which is the most that I'm aware of," said Doyle High Principal Tommy Hodges. "You see the growth in the parish, you see Juban Crossing opening up, so it's really growing and doing some good things for our parish."

Those 90 or so sixth grade students are in temporary classrooms right now, but they'll soon walk into four new classrooms. A 8,400 square foot building for the new classrooms and band hall is nearing completion. Teachers like Mindy Jones say the expanded campus will cut down the number of students per class.

"It enables me to have more one-on-one time with the kids and smaller groups. It enables me to better utilize small group instruction," she said.

Doyle Elementary will also receive four new classrooms around the same time.